Jennifer Luce
Jennifer Luce (born May 3, 1960 in Montreal, Canada) is principal and founder of Luce et Studio Architects in La Jolla, California. Luce grew up in Canada and received her bachelor’s degree in architecture at Carleton University (1984). At Harvard University Graduate School of Design, she received her Master of Design Studies degree (1994). She has lectured at universities and AIA and AIGA symposia in the United States and Canada.[1]
Firm
In 1990, Luce established Luce et Studio Architects, so named for its collaborative studio–client design process.[2] The firm has gained prominence for the design of creative work environments such as the award-winning automotive design studios for Nissan Design America in Farmington Hills, Michigan and La Jolla, California.[3] Luce et Studio’s body of work includes corporate and residential commissions, site-specific art and landscape installations, and furniture design.
Philosophy
Luce’s approach to architecture is art-based and associative: Research and dialogue uncover correspondences between design concepts and other creative disciplines such as musical composition, scientific research, or the visual arts, for example.[4] The associative foundation of the studio’s process was on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) 2009 exhibition: “Mix: Nine San Diego Architects and Designers.”[5] Luce is known for pairing a minimalist, industrial sensibility with unusual materials chosen for sensory impact. The studio’s signature design approach to doors as “transformations” is evident in completed residential projects and on a large scale in the Nissan building in Farmington Hills, with its 20-foot high stainless steel door on a pivot.[6]
Awards and honors
- Coalesse Showroom, Chicago, IL - Merit Award, American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter, 2009
- A. D. Dunton Alumni Award of Distinction, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, 2007
- Lemke House, La Jolla, CA - Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter, 2007
- George’s California Modern, La Jolla, CA - Merit Award, American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter, 2007
- “Museum Table,” Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, CA - Divine Detail Award, American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter, 2007
- ‘’Business Week/Architectural Record’’ Award of Excellence for Nissan Design America, Automotive Design Studios: Farmington Hills, MI and La Jolla, CA
- Nissan Design America, La Jolla, CA - Merit Award, American Institute of Architects, California Council 2006
- Design Vanguard, ‘’Architectural Record’’ Firm Award, 2005
- Nissan Design America, Farmington Hills, MI - Honor Award for Interior Architecture, American Institute of Architects, National, 2005
- Burton House, Cardiff by the Sea, CA - Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter, 2005
- Extraordinary Desserts, San Diego, CA - Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter, 2005
- Burton Landscape Studio, Gallery and Retail Space, San Diego, CA - Best Commercial Design, American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter, 2002
- Felkner/Lehman Loft, San Diego, CA - Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter, 1999
Major Projects
- Creative Entertainment Offices, Glendale, CA
- College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI
- San Diego Museum of Art Image Gallery, San Diego, CA
- The New Children’s Museum Furniture Commissions, San Diego, CA
- Steelcase Premium Group Coalesse Showroom, Chicago, IL
- Museum of Contemporary Art Custom Furniture Commissions, La Jolla, CA
- Georges California Modern Restaurant, La Jolla, CA
- Nissan Design America Corporate Offices + Design Studios, Detroit, MI
- Nissan Design America Corporate Offices + Design Studios, La Jolla, CA
- Extraordinary Desserts Patisserie and Wine Bar, San Diego, CA
- Burton Associates/ SOLO Retail + Studio, San Diego, CA
- Felkner/Lehman Loft, San Diego, CA
Articles
Architecture as art makes for a constructive “Mix,” ‘’San Diego Union Tribune,’’ Robert Pincus, June 7, 2009 [1]
Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego [2]
Ranch House Made Over: From Modest to Modernist, ‘’New York Times,’’ Fred Bernstein, Aug 23, 2007 [3]
Maximizing Creative Potential: Luce et’s Work Honored by AIA, ‘’The Daily Transcript,’’ San Diego, May 23, 2005
Automaker Design Structure: Out of sight ‘’Detroit Free Press,’’ May 12, 2005
Architecture & Carchitecture, ‘’New York Times,’’ Mar 24, 2005 [4]
“Nissan's Artful Surroundings: Luce et Studio design for the car company’s styling and design studios is big enough to accommodate the cars—and intimate enough for creative collaboration,” John Gendall, ‘’Business Week’’ online [5]
Luce-idity, ‘’Canadian Architect‘’ [6]